All the very latest football news across Europe!

Arsenal's Jack Wilshere is set for an England recall for the pre-World Cup friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy - skysports.com

Burnley's 25-year-old defender James Tarkowski is set to receive his first call-up to the England team - The Times

The Russian government has threatened to ban 'every single British news outlet' from attending the World Cup - Daily Mail

Real Madrid believe a bid of €300m could tempt PSG to sell Neymar to them this summer. That figure could be even less in the summer of 2019, with the Brazilian set to be available then for €222m
- Marca (Spanish national daily sport newspaper)

Chelsea have appealed for supporters to get in contact with information after claims some were allegedly hurt by police and security using batons outside the Nou Camp before their Champions League defeat to Barcelona last night - skysports.com

Businessman Saeed Al-Falasi, a member of Dubai's royal family, is interested in buying AC Milan, amid doubts of current owner Yonghong Li's finances - Gazzetta dello Sport (Italian newspaper dedicated to the coverage of sport)

New Southampton manager Mark Hughes is the 'right man' for the club, in the mind of club legend Matt Lee Tissier. The Sky Sports pundit said: "Mark has managed in this league for a long, long time, more than 400 games. I think it is a pretty good appointment from my perspective - skysports.com

Mark Hughes has been placed out of his comfort zone having been tasked with inspiring Southampton to safety, says Mark Schwarzer. Hughes has been appointed manager at St Mary's until the end of the season following Mauricio Pellegrino's sacking on Monday. Schwarzer, who played under Hughes at Fulham, has described the appointment as "strange", questioning the Welshman's ability to motivate players individually and as a squad - skysports.com

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is set to clash with the club's senior officials over his summer transfer budget and, with tensions rising, Paris St-Germain might try to tempt him to France - Daily Mirror and AS (Spanish daily sports newspaper)

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho wants £60million Chelsea star Willian this summer - The Sun

Senior figures inside Old Trafford are questioning whether Jose Mourinho is the right man to lead Manchester United. - Daily Mail

Roma goalkeeper Alisson's protracted apparent move to Liverpool may have taken a step closer,with reports that the Italian club are looking at replacements. Alisson could cost the Reds upwards of £60m, it has been reported, as Jurgen Klopp looks for a new number one - L'Equipe (a French nationwide daily newspaper devoted to sport)

Chelsea star Alvaro Morata could be in hot water after an obscene gesture to Barcelona fans last night - Daily Express

Chelsea are keen to sign Juventus' 29-year-old Ghana full-back Kwadwo Asamoah on a free transfer when his contract runs out in the summer - The Sun

Manchester City are set to sign a £45m-a-year sponsorship deal with Puma. Their current deal with Nike is worth £18m a year - The Sun

Fifa has expanded its investigation into whether Manchester City broke rules on signing youth players. The club could be punished with a transfer ban if found guilty of wrongdoing - Daily Telegraph

Arsenal are ready to splash the cash to bring Real Madrid's Luka Modric back to the Premier League this summer but face competition from Liverpool and Spurs - Daily Express

A youth product of Real Madrid, Alvaro Morata has already re-signed for the Spanish side once, and now reports say he could be on his way back to the Bernabeu - again. The Chelsea forward started well at Stamford Bridge after a £60m move from Juventus last summer, but has struggled in more recent times.
Reports suggest he could be joined in Spain by Massimiliano Allegri, with the Juve boss, who managed Morata last season at the Old Lady, tipped to replace Zinedine Zidane in the summer - The Daily Star

Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta says he is contemplating a move to China at the end of the season. The 33-year-old has spent his entire career at Barcelona, but admitted a switch is a possibility after returning from a hamstring injury in Wednesday night's 3-0 win over Chelsea at the Nou Camp - skysports.com

Hertha Berlin right-back Mitchell Weiser is an option for Bayer Leverkusen, although there is also interest from England, Italy and other German clubs. The 23-year-old midfielder would cost €12m - Kicker (Germany's leading sports magazine)

West Ham manager David Moyes stood up in defence of his players' holiday break in Florida break this week, amid opposition from the club's board - Daily Mirror

Gremio midfielder Arthur has revealed his delight at his impending move to Barcelona. The La Liga leaders announced last weekend that they have reached an agreement on a purchase option to sign the 21-year-old midfielder - skysports.com

Liverpool will go head-to-head with Tottenham for £30m Stuttgart defender Benjamin Pavard - Daily Mirror

Bayern Munich are ready to join Juventus in the chase for Liverpool's Emre Can - Daily Mirror

Everton are eyeing £7.5million Basel defender Leo Lacroix to help solve their problems at the back - The Sun

Saido Berahino is poised for a return to the Stoke squad this weekend - Daily Telegraph

Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem want to keep Chelsea's 19-year-old English midfielder Mason Mount for another season - (VL - in Dutch)

Patrick Kluivert has harmed his chances of becoming Oxford United's new boss after refusing to fly in for a meeting - The Sun

All the very latest football news and gossip across Europe!

Here is a round up of all the latest football news/gossip across Europe today, which includes the likes of: Christian Benteke, West Ham, David de Gea, Real Madrid, Rafael Benitez, Juventus, Dimitri Payet, AC Milan, Mario Balotelli, Everton, Jose Mourinho, Aston Villa, Yaya Toure, Leicester, Roberto Di Matteo, Ajax, Dani Alves, Watford, John Terry and Swansea City to name but a few!


Real Madrid will look to sign West Ham and France midfielder Dimitri Payet, 29, but not until after Euro 2016 - Le 10 Sport (French sports publication)

West Ham will turn their attention to signing Liverpool striker Christian Benteke, 25, after having a club record £31m bid rejected for Lyon's 24 year-old French international striker Alexandre Lacazette - The Sun

The Turkish press is today echoing interest in Jose Mourinho joining Fenerbahce and the Turkish club are preparing an offer in the region of 15 million euros annually for the Portuguese born boss - AS.com

Arsenal have submitted a £51m offer to Juventus in an attempt to sign 23-year-old forward Alvaro Morata during the summer transfer window - Corriere dello Sport (Italian national sports newspaper based in Rome)

Real Madrid have until 15 June to trigger 25-year-old Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea's £39m release clause - Dairio AS (Spanish daily sports newspaper)

Romelu Lukaku's father thinks his son will leave Everton for around £65m before Euro 2016 gets under way - Daily Express

Former Borussia Monchengladbach coach Lucien Favre is in the hunt for the Everton job after holding talks with Goodison officials, but Saints boss Ronald Koeman and Dutchman Frank de Boer still top the shortlist - The Sun

A Far East consortium are believed to be close to agreeing a deal to buy Aston Villa and that would make Roberto Di Matteo the favourite to pip Nigel Pearson to the manager's post - Daily Express

Watford have held talks with former Inter Milan boss Walter Mazzarri and the club could appoint their new head coach by the end of this week - Gazetta dello Sport (Italian sports newspaper)

Yaya Toure's agent has claimed talks are being held with Inter Milan over a summer move. Speculation about the Manchester City midfielder's future has been an ongoing theme and it appears he could reunite with former City boss Roberto Mancini at San Siro - skysports.com

Rafael Benitez has agreed to stay on as manager at Newcastle United and will be given full control over transfers as he plans for next season in the Championship - Daily Mail

Claudio Ranieri wants to bring £15m-rated Ajax striker Arkadiusz Milik to Leicester. The 22-year-old has scored 47 times in 76 appearances for his club - Daily Mirror

Swansea City boss Francesco Guidolin has urged the Club not to cash in on £10m-rated striker Andre Ayew - The Sun

Swansea have Junior Hoilett top of their wanted list this summer with the 25-year-old winger's contract expiring at QPR - Daily Mirror

Dani Alves will stay in Barcelona for at least another season - skysports.com

Liverpool and Italy forward Mario Balotelli, 25, who is currently on loan at AC Milan, is wanted by Spanish side Espanyol - Fichajes, via Daily Star

John Terry has signed a new one-year deal with Chelsea. The club have said decision has been taken following consultation between Terry, incoming manager Antonio Conte, the owner and the board - skysports.com

Arsenal are keen on Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney and Leicester's Ben Chilwell. However the Gunners have yet to make any offers and are expected to offer around £6m for both of them - Daily Mail

French-Senegalese forward M'Baye Niang, 21, currently on a contract with AC Milan until June 2019, has become a main target for both Liverpool and Tottenham. Niang, is also interesting Borussia Dortmund and Stoke City as well - gianlucadimarzio.com

Incoming Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola wants to hijack neighbours United's move for the Schalke's attacking midfielder Leroy Sané. The German international is also on the radar of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain as well - Daily Star

Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez has signed a new long-term deal with the Spanish club. There had been speculation that Manchester United were interested in the midfielder, but he has committed his future to Atletico - skysports.com

Real Madrid star Isco wants to stay at Santiago Bernabeu next season, as he told the club's official website: "I'm happy with what I've achieved but excited by the future. There is no better place to win titles than at Real Madrid. My aim is to work day by day because I'm an ambitious player and I've still got a lot to demonstrate" - Realmadrid.com

AS Roma's attempt to sign Guinean-Italian midfielder Amadou Diawara, 18 could be hijacked by Juventus, as a possible replacement for Paul Pogba. Also of interest to several other European clubs, the player is currently on a deal with Bologna until June 2020 - transfermarketweb.com

Cardiff City have confirmed Paul Trollope as their new manager - skysports.com

FC Crotone recently promoted to Serie A, will face a huge job to convince manager Ivan Juric to stick around following interest from Leeds United - Daily Express

Bristol City have signed Wrexham youngster Johnny Smith for an undisclosed fee - skysports.com

Defender Nathan Smith has signed a one-year deal with Yeovil Town - skysports.com

Dr Eva Carneiro - The Curse of a Scorned Woman!

Having closely followed the Dr Eva Carneiro versus Jose Mourinho 'controversy' and subsequent fall out, and having also written two previous articles on here outlining the case in question (on the 18th September and 24th September 2015), it is with interest that I read the very latest turn of events in 'DoctorGate'

Coming from a family with a substantial background in medicine, and having discussed and read in some detail the rights and wrongs of the behaviour of Mourinho on that fateful day back in August, I for one am pleased, if not slightly surprised to see that Dr Caneiro has the full weight of FIFA's medical committee behind her in her fight against Chelsea Football Club and manager Jose Mourinho.

They have promised the former Chelsea doctor the full backing of FIFA's medical chief in her legal case against the Premier League club.

Carneiro is taking action against the club for constructive dismissal and an individual action against Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho for victimisation and discrimination.

She was dropped from first-team duties after Mourinho criticised her and head physio Jon Fearn for going on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard after being summoned by referee Michael Oliver.
The action meant that Chelsea were temporarily down to nine men against Swansea, and afterwards Mourinho called Carneiro and Fearn "impulsive and naive."


Mourinho was cleared of using discriminatory language towards her following an investigation by the Football Association, but he is now the subject of a separate but connected claim.

With Mourinho's Chelsea side currently ailing like a rudderless ship, and 'The Special One' now favourite with the bookmakers to be the next Premier League manager to lose his job, one has to question how much damage his bust up with Dr Carnerio (right), during the opening match of the Premier League season back on the 8th August has contributed to what can only be described as a cataclysmic disaster of a season.........to date.

FIFA's medical committee chairman Michel D'Hooghe has now revealed he has been in touch with Carneiro to offer his support and that of the world governing body.
He has backed Carneiro's insistence that she was simply doing her job.

D'Hooghe said: "Of course I support Eva Carneiro. She did her job, she did her duty - when somebody is medically in trouble she has to intervene. Of course she has my support and the whole medical committee's."

"I have had email contact with her and she is very happy with the global support of the medical world in football."

D'Hooghe said the fall-out from the case could mean that Carneiro may find it difficult to find a new job in football but that he would do what he could to help her.

He added: "I can imagine that in the short term she might have some problems with that, but with her personality and her competence she must certainly have a great future and if I can help her I will do it."

I may not be a Chelsea supporting fan, or someone who can be hoodwinked by Mourinho's confident external persona, but I am a football fan, and I can tell you for a fact that there is precious little harmony within the Chelsea camp as I speak!

Following defeat at home to to Bournemouth last Saturday, an insider told how 'The Blues' trained earlier this week saying: “It was a very, very flat atmosphere at the training ground,” with midfielder Nemanja Matic seemingly backing up this observation by admitting the whole club is stuck in a rut with no sign of a way out.
He said: “We are in a difficult situation, so it’s going to be hard to come back from this. But we have to try to resolve this problem, we have to try to recover."

This week could define Mourinho's future. He stays in charge for tonight's decisive Champions League clash with Porto and for a date with ex-Blues boss Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester City next Monday......but for how long! Should Chelsea bow out of the Champions League and then lose to Ranieri’s table-toppers it could force Abramovich’s hand — and get Mourinho sacked just a few months into a new four-year contract.

Chelsea refused to comment on FIFA's decision. The cases are likely to be heard early in 2016, unless they are settled beforehand.

In the wake of the controversy, FIFA's medical committee is to draw up a new code of ethics for managers and team doctors.

As the saying goes: "Nothing like the curse of a scorned woman"

Will Dr Eva Carneiro accept Chelsea's invitation to return?

Dr Eva Carneiro, who was banned from the Chelsea bench after being criticised by manager José Mourinho, has been told to report for work at the club’s training ground today.
Carneiro has not been seen at Chelsea since the incident on 8th August, possibly through the legal advice she has taken from law firm Mishcon de Reya, but has been informed that she needs to return to duty now.

Whether Carneiro turns up at the Cobham training ground in Surrey remains to be seen – although physio Jon Fearn, who also had his duties cut, has continued to work during the intervening period with the first-team.

The Football Association has confirmed it is investigating a complaint that Chelsea manager José Mourinho used abusive language during the incident in the opening game against Swansea that saw club doctor Eva Carneiro and first-team physiotherapist Jon Fearn stripped of their matchday duties.

Fearn has not, as yet, resumed his place on the Chelsea bench but is expected to eventually do so. Whether Carneiro is able to do the same would appear to remain in doubt although there have been claims the duo will be in place for Saturday’s Premier League match at home to Arsenal.
Chelsea have previously insisted the issue is an "internal staffing matter" and say they do not intend to comment although Mourinho has publically said that Carneiro might be reinstated.

According to a report in the Independent, the Football Association received a complaint after the match on 8th August and the governing body’s compliance department are now studying video evidence.

Carneiro (right), born in Gibraltar is understood to have already taken legal advice with the possibility that Chelsea might be seeking to re-deploy her within their medical department and away from being first-team doctor. Some lawyers have suggested she may have grounds for constructive dismissal.

The Chelsea manager lost his cool towards the very end of his team’s 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, when Eden Hazard went down in the third minute of stoppage time and Carneiro and Fearn ran on to treat the winger and it was revealed last month that Carneiro and Fearn had been told they would not sit on the Chelsea bench after the incident with Mourinho accusing the pair of naivety and failing to "understand the game."

Under FA rule E3, players and coaches can be penalised for using "offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures," with Mourinho facing up to a five-match ban if he is found guilty.

It subsequently emerged that not only did referee Michael Oliver twice gesture the medics to come on, but that he had also checked with Hazard that he wanted to receive treatment. This led to further criticism of Mourinho from medical professionals.

Sky Sports released video footage of the moment Mourinho lost his temper with his medical staff which appears to show the Portuguese boss calling one or both of them “son of a bitch”.
According to the report, Carneiro has not returned to Chelsea’s Cobham training ground since being withdrawn from matchday duties, with Doctor Chris Hughes and physiotherapist Steven Hughes having replaced her and Fearn.

Mourinho’s treatment of Carneiro and Fearn has already been discussed by world football governing body FIFA. Another influential body, the British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine (BASEM) has also raised the matter with the League Managers Association of which Mourinho is a member.

Chelsea play Arsenal on Saturday 19th September at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, kick-off 12:45 BST.

Will Eva be on the bench tomorrow in her capacity as Chelsea first-team doctor?

José Mourinho - A Very Special Crime Sheet!

José Mário dos Santos Mourinho Félix is widely regarded by many players and coaches to be one of the best managers of his generation, and by some to be one of the greatest ever managers, but the fiery Lisbon born Chelsea manager is no stranger to controversy!



AUGUST 2015 


Eva Carneiro, Chelsea’s first-team doctor and club physio Jon Fearn came under fire from Jose Mourinho for trying to treat Eden Hazard in stoppage time as 10-man Chelsea held on for a point against Swansea in their opening game of the 2015/16 campaign.
It reduced Chelsea to nine men as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had already been sent off.
Mourinho said afterwards: “I wasn't happy with my medical staff," stating that they had been "impulsive and naive" and "did not understand the game."
“If you go to the pitch to assist a player, then you must be sure that a player has a serious problem. I was sure that Eden didn't have a serious problem. He had a knock and was very tired. My medical department left me with eight fit outfield players in a counter attack after a set piece and we were worried we didn't have enough players left.”                      

The Football Medical Association stressed that Carneiro "acted with integrity and professionalism at all times."

In a subsequent press conference Mourinhio said Carneiro and Fearn will not be on the bench for the next match at Manchester City, but Mourinho has not ruled out their return.
Based on what I have heard I believe Fern will be allowed to return to the bench, but Dr Careiro (pictured right) will soon be seeking employment elsewhere - there is no smoke without fire!


JUNE 2015

Jose Mourinho is given a six-month driving ban after being found guilty of speeding last year.
The Chelsea manager was handed the ban after being caught driving at 60mph in a 50mph zone on the A3 in Surrey in September 2014.

JANUARY 2015


Jose Mourinho is fined £25,000 by the Football Association but escapes a touchline ban for his claims that there was a “campaign” against Chelsea.
An FA hearing found Mourinho to have been guilty of “improper conduct” for his comments about referees, however the commission decided he was not implying bias.


APRIL 2014

Fined £8,000 and warned about his future conduct after being sent off against Aston Villa after approaching referee Chris Foy when Ramires was sent off.


MAY 2014

Fined £10,000 for his remarks after sarcastically congratulating officials following Chelsea's Premier League defeat to Sunderland at Stamford Bridge.
After the match, which saw his assistant Rui Faria sent to the stands and later given a six-match stadium ban, Mourinho congratulated his Chelsea players, Sunderland and then moved on to the officials.

He described referee Mike Dean's performance as "unbelievable" and "fantastic", before moving on to head of referees, Mike Riley, saying: "What they are doing during the whole season is fantastic, especially in the last couple of months, especially in matches involving the teams that were in the title race, it's absolutely fantastic."


OCTOBER 2013

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho fined £8,000 for a breach of FA rules during his sides clash with Cardiff. Mourinho was sent to the stands with about 20 minutes left of the match, which ended in a 4-1 victory for his side.

The Portuguese lost his temper with referee Anthony Taylor when he asked Branislav Ivanovic to speed up taking a throw-in, having seen Cardiff get away with time-wasting earlier in the game.


MAY 2013

Atletico de Madrid faced Real Madrid in the final of the King’s Cup in Mourinho’s final act at the Bernabeu. Atletico hadn’t beaten Real Madrid in 25 games going back to 1999, but in a dirty yet riveting match Diego Simone’s side caused an upset, winning 2-1 after extra-time. By the time of the final whistle, Mourinho had long since departed, being sent off for abusing the referee.
His assistant Aitor Karanka accepted his runners-up medal and commemorative tray on his behalf. On seeing him, King Juan Carlos turned to Angel Maria Villar, the president of the Spanish Football Association, and said, 'Do I give it to this guy?'

Mourinho picks up a two-game ban for his behaviour.


OCTOBER 2011

On 17 August 2011, in the final of the 2011 Supercopa de España, Mourinho was seen gouging the eye of Barcelona's assistant coach Tito Vilanova during a brawl at the end of the game. After the game Mourinho did not comment on the incident except to claim that he did not know who "Pito" Vilanova was, with Pito being Spanish slang for penis.
As a result Mourinio received a two-game ban.


MAY 2011

UEFA handed the then Real Madrid coach Mourinho a five-match ban by UEFA for an on-field outburst and post-match comments after their spite-filled Champions League semi-final defeat to arch rivals Barcelona.

Mourinho was fined £44,000 by UEFA's control and disciplinary body for his sending-off and comments after the first leg.


DURING 2011 and 2012

The acrimony between Barca and Real Madrid was getting out of hand. Iker Casillas, Spain’s World Cup-winning captain intervened, telephoning Xavi and Carles Puyol, his international teammates and counterparts at Barca, looking to mend relations between the two teams.
When Mourinho heard about the peace overture, he flipped and accused Casillas of traitorous behaviour. During a Real Madrid squad meeting, Mourinho lectured his players, telling them they had to all pull in the same direction, while staring at Casillas. His captain exploded.
'Everybody in the same direction?' Casillas roared. 'What does that mean? All of us go in the direction that you want to go? That’s the last time you make a shit of me in front of my companeros!'
Casillas and Mourinho didn’t speak again for a month.

In January 2012, 'Sport' one of Barcelona’s most respected sports newspapers, published a story in which it claimed Casillas might be 'el topo', the mole in the Real dressing room that has been leaking information to the Spanish press during Mourinho’s tenure. That month, there had been a training pitch bust-up with Casillas and Sergio Ramos. Mourinho dropped both players – Casillas for the second half of the season. In a squad survey commissioned by Perez, fifteen players said they wanted rid of Mourinho; five threatened to take up transfer offers if he stayed.


DECEMBER 2010

Real Madrid travelled to Amsterdam to play Ajax in a Champions League group stage match in November 2010, already having qualified for the knockout stages. Real Madrid prevailed, winning 4-0, but not without some chicanery towards the end of the game when they engineered two red cards.
In a convoluted manoeuvre, caught on camera, Mourinho despatched a message, via substitute goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, to Iker Casillas and on to Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso to intentionally get Ramos and Alonso second yellow cards.

After an investigation by UEFA Real Madrid were fined €100,000, Mourinho €30,000 plus a a one-match Champions League ban with Alonso, Ramos, Casillas and Dudek all receiving lesser fines, but Ramos and Alonso were now free to start the knockout games the following February with a clean slate.



NOVEMBER 2010


Two-match ban for being sent off after protesting to the referee during a 5-1 Copa del Rey victory against Real Murcia, a third-tier team.

Two days before playing Sporting de Gijon in the league, Mourinho re-iterated claims that Sporting purposefully played a weakened side against Barcelona the previous September. The allegation drew the ire of Sporting’s coach, Manolo Preciado, who called Mourinho 'canalla', a swine or creep.
Mourinho, who was serving a two-match ban for abusing a ref in a Copa del Rey match, watched the match from the VIP box. Real Madrid won 1-0. Mourinho left the stadium flanked by three security staff, and, as his team bus pulled away, he casually flipped his two fingers at screaming Sporting fans.


FEBRUARY 2010

Three-game ban and €40,000 fine while manager at Inter Milan for a handcuff gesture to Sampdoria fans. Mourinho made the "handcuffs" gesture after seeing Inter's Walter Samuel and Ivan Cordoba sent off and Samuel Eto'o booked against Sampdoria.
The gesture has been interpreted as a way of suggesting his side have been victimised by referees in Serie A. Mourinho had also insulted the officials at half-time in the 0-0 draw.
Samuel and Cordoba were both dismissed in the first half of the match, while Eto'o was booked for allegedly diving.
When Eto'o received the yellow card, Mourinho burst out laughing and made the "handcuffs" gesture in front of photographers and TV cameras.
Mourinho - who had served two one-game bans already that season after being sent off, did not speak to the media after the match against Sampdoria.


SEPTEMBER 2009

One-match touchline ban and a €15,000 (£13,500) fine for abusing the referee in Inter's 2-1 win against Cagliari. He was sent to the stands in the second half after protesting vehemently on the sideline after referee Daniele Orsato failed to book Cagliari player Davide Astori for a foul on Inter's Mario Balotelli.

Italy's football judicial body said Mourinho "had theatrically contested a referee's decision and repeatedly directed harsh insults at the referee."


JUNE 2005

On 2 June 2005, Mourinho was fined £200,000 for his part in the meeting with then Arsenal full-back Ashley Cole in January 2005 in breach of the Premier League rules. His fine was later reduced to £75,000 after a hearing in August


APRIL 2005

Mourinho allegedly hid in a laundry basket used for transporting the club's kit to get round the before Chelsea's Champions League quarter-final tie against Bayern Munich to beat a UEFA ban imposed on him following his behaviour in the previous round against Barcelona (see below).
It was claimed that Mourinho arrived early at the ground, watched the game on a TV in a dressing room and delivered the pre-match and half-time talks.
Then, 10 minutes before the end of the game, Mourinho clambered into one of the laundry skips and was then wheeled away to the Stamford Bridge leisure club where it was claimed he had spent the entire evening.


MARCH 2005

Following a last-16 Champions League tie between Chelsea and Barcelona at the Nou Camp in March 2005, Mourinho accused Swedish referee Anders Frisk and Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard of breaking FIFA rules by having a meeting at half–time.
Mourinho insisted that this biased the referee and caused him to send off Chelsea striker Didier Drogba in the second half. Frisk admitted that Rijkaard had tried to speak to him but insisted that he had sent him away. The situation intensified when Frisk began to receive death threats from angered Chelsea fans, causing the referee to retire prematurely.

After an investigation of the incident, Mourinho was given a two-match touchline ban for his behaviour and fined £9,000 by UEFA, and Frisk never took charge of another professional football match again.

Jose Mourinho's Press Conference - The Second Coming!

Jose Mourinho gave his first press conference at Stamford Bridge today, after returning as Chelsea FC manager following a six-year absence.

Here are the highlights:

13:33 Around 250 journalists are here for Jose Mk II, along with 40 TV crews. And he's late......!

13:38 Press conference begins.

Jose Mourinho is asked whether he can be more successful?

JM:  "I always trust my work. I know many people that belong to the club and the kind of mentality and ambition."

JM:  "I am a very happy person. It is the first time I arrive at a club that I love already."


He's asked if he's still a special one?

JM: "The club is much more important than ourselves. We are nobody compared with the club"

When asked if his relationship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich broke down?

JM: "That is not true (my relationship with Abramovich broke down)."

JM: "I read that I was fired and we had a complete breakdown in relationship, that was not true. At the time we thought it was the best for both of us."

JM: "It was a decision that was difficult for both of us but a decision made by mutual agreement. There was never a break of the relationship and that is why it was possible for me to be here today."

JM: "I am back because we feel we are in a moment of my professional life and in the case of the owner, also a moment in his career as owner, where I think we are in the best moments of our careers and ready to work together again and in much better conditions this time and to succeed in what this club wants, which is stability."

JM: "It was a sad moment but I don't regret that decision. At Inter I had probably the best moment of my career. After that I went to Madrid where we have the best season in Spanish history."

JM: I have more responsibility because of that. Expectations are higher because people know what I can deliver.


Asked if he had a message for the Chelsea fans?

JM: This club has a special fanbase.....[but] I want to be loved for what I can do from now."

JM: "The club knows my mentality, they know my nature, and the fans can be assured I come here to give my best and to try to reach success."

JM: "With my 50th birthday I think I'm still young as a manager. It was beginning of a new period where I have a different approach."

JM: "I analyse myself every day as a leader and manager. I try to improve. I am the same but nine years is a big difference."

JM: "I just want to be calm, to be working every day and give the best I can. I am just so sorry the pre-season doesn't start tomorrow."

On whether he loved news conferences?

JM: "Let's do this fast and let me go."

JM: "I don't love it, but it is part of my job. I try to do the best I can, give you what you want but I didn't come here to give a big headline. I just try to be honest, open and give what you expect from me at this moment."

JM: "I am where I want to be. So now it is up to me to work hard and show my club that I deserve to be here for a long time."


Asked about potential player transfer targets?

JM: There are still a few boys from my time. It is always good to go back and see people that gave absolutely everything while I was here. It is important to tell them that there will be no privilege for them."

JM: "There is a group of boys that I think Chelsea have done very well to get in the past few years. I will be very happy to work with them to improve them. After that, we always have ambition to add a couple of new players to improve the squad, but the most important part of my job at the moment is to improve the players we have."


Mourinho has not spent more than three years at the same club. When asked if he wanted more stability?

JM: "Yes, now I'm prepared for that. Before I wasn't."

JM: "I had this kind of mentality. Today is 10th June - the day of Portugal. I'm Portuguese and I love adventure like the Portuguese ones in the past - a bit of a navigator. But I've done what I wanted to do. I needed a special family - which I have - and they allowed me to move around Europe."


The Chelsea manager was asked when did he decide to come back to Stamford Bridge?

JM: "Not a long time ago. I decided first of all that I was going to leave my previous club, that was the trigger."

JM: "I needed to make that decision and I did and after that it was a question for analysing the situation and possibilities and making the best decision for my happiness. When the Chelsea situation appears, it was decision made."

JM: "Roman has offered me a lifetime supply of Rowntree's Randoms and a new spinning office chair, I couldn't say no......."

JM; "I am happy to be back in this club, this league and this City"

JM: "I am better able to manage my emotions, calmer in victory, less depressed in defeat."


Asked about plans for the Chelsea squad?

JM: "There are still a few boys from my previous time here, which is always good to go back and see these people who gave me absolutely everything."

JM: "It is important for me to tell you that there is no privilege for them. They know that already as they know my nature as a manger. They don't have an advantage in relation to the other people."

JM: "There is a group of boys that Chelsea did very well to get in these past years and I will be more than happy to work with them and improve them."

JM: "We always have ambition to add a couple of new players, to give different qualities and increase the competitiveness. The most important part of my job at the moment is the improvement of the youth here. They have big potential and I think I have the conditions to help improve them."


Mourinho on Chelsea's objective/ambitions?

JM: "Everybody will try to finish top four, and after that top three. After that, trying to win it. Of course the first objective is top four."

JM: "Chelsea have to focus on every competition. Everything is important. Champions League cannot be an obsession for me."

JM: "The Premier League is a competition the best team wins. Let's try to be the best."
"All my decisions are based on a meritocracy. After that, I can sleep well."

Asked were his feelings hurt by not being asked to be the new Manchester United or Manchester City manager?

JM: "No, and this is where he wants to be. Is this a better job than those? "It is my job, it is the job I want and I accepted immediately."

JM: "I am where I want to be. I wouldn't change it for anything."


The new Chelsea boss when asked: "What he learnt from falling out with Real's Iker Casillas?"

"What did I do last season? What happened? I played the players I thought were best for the team. Of course I want good relationships with everybody, but the most important thing is my relationship with myself. It was a pure football decision. I decided for one player, not the other. Me as a manager, all my decisions are built on meritocracy. After that, I can sleep well."


Asked about any decisions previous manager Benítez made?

"One of my good qualities, I have some bad ones, is that when I leave a club I don't speak about it, and when I arrive I don't speak about what has gone before. So not one word for me on Benítez's time with the club, or what happened with John (Terry). I know what he can give, he can be the best, let's try to make him a big player which he couldn't be last season. But Benítez's decisions were Benítez's decisions."


What are his thoughts on the new Premier League landscape?

JM: "I look forward to what the Premier League is. In the last three years I've played in a league which is a two-horse race and now I move to a league where you lose more times but the competition is open to more than two."

JM: "When I arrived Arsenal were the power. After that, us and United. Now the picture is different. United is champion, City before."

JM: "Everybody will try to finish top four, and after that top three. After that, trying to win it. The 1st objective is top four. After that we will try to win it."

JM: "I am where I want to be. I wouldn't change it for anything. It is a job I was offered and I accepted immediately."

Mourinho speaks about his managerial rivals?

JM: "I'm still a bit disappointed that I'm back and I'll go to Old Trafford and Sir Alex is not there," he said. But David Moyes has conditions and experiences and protection from the club to do job and do well."

JM: "Wenger is there and I'm happy he is."

JM: "And the three boys - when I say boys I say it with warmth - Brendan (Rodgers), Steve (Clarke) and Andre (Villas-Boas). I'm more than happy to be in same league and wish them all the best."

JM: "Pellegrini is a man with a lot of experience first time he moves here but maturity and quality to do a good job."


Mourinho on Barcelona?

JM: "I damaged Spanish football by being the manager that broke Barcelona's dominance."

JM: "It looked like a dominance without an end but Real Madrid won the Cup Final against Barcelona, won the Super Cup against Barcelona, won in Barcelona and won the championship, and that is the historic championship - which is 100 points and 101 goals. I hurt it."

JM: "They dominated for so long, I think I hurt them. It was a fantastic time for me, a big club and a chance to win the domestic title that I had not won in my career. We could not get the Champions League, but it's very difficult to do that."



A journo from Belgium asks Jose about Chelsea's Belgian players....."What are your plans for Lukaku and De Bruyne?"

JM: "I want to meet them and I think it's fair the players are 1st to know about their futures."

JM: "Chelsea invested a lot in the players - it's my job to extract the best out of that investment."



Jose's asked about the identity of the club, which he promised to change in 2004?

JM: "When I came here at first Chelsea needed more of a push in the direction of trophies and success. The median age of the players was perfect for that jump in quality. I felt that the squad and the club needed that direction. We did it well by winning. That base stayed in the club to help them reach more success in the future."

JM: "This time I arrive, and victories and silverware are nothing new. In this moment it's time for a completely different approach. Not losing my nature, which is the nature of the club too, trying to win. I think we are all prepared for a different era with a different profile of team.

"My fingerprint has to be on it, because a football team without the fingerprint of its manager is not a football team. Looks like, but isn't."


When asked about in which areas he is looking to improve the Club?

JM: "We have already 60 players, because in the last two days we had 20 new buys in the media."

JM: "A couple of new signings is normal and common practice in any club. "

JM: "I have to be fair with the players and give them all a chance."


When asked: What are your weaknesses Jose?

JM: "I have to try to improve them. You don't speak about weaknesses to your enemy. My enemy is reading papers tomorrow and watching TV now.

JM: Every team has weaknesses, every manager has weaknesses, we try to hide them. When I say enemy I say it with respect, in sport your enemy is not truly your enemy. I know my weaknesses......there are not many."

14:33 Press conference comes to a conclusion.


Pictures courtesy of The Press Asscociation, The Daily Telegraph and The Daily Mail newspapers and Reuters:

The World's Highest Paid Football Managers

Big Earners - José Mourinho (left) and Josep Guardiola

1. Jose Mourinio (Real Madrid, €10m per annum)

Born: 26th January 1963 (age 49).
Place of birth: Setúbal, Portugal.
Previous clubs managed: Benfica, União de Leiria, Porto, Chelsea, Internazionale.
Major club honours won as a manager:
Porto - Primeira Liga (2): 2002–03, 2003–04, UEFA Champions League (1): 2003–04, UEFA Cup (1): 2002–03.

Chelsea - Premier League (2): 2004–05, 2005–06, FA Cup (1): 2006–07, Football League Cup (2): 2004–05, 2006–07.

Internazionale: Serie A (2): 2008–09, 2009–10, Coppa Italia (1): 2009–10, UEFA Champions League (1): 2009–10

Real Madrid - Copa del Rey (1): 2010–11

2= Josep "Pep" Guardiola (Barcelona, €7.5m per annum)

Born: 18th January 1971 (age 41).
Place of birth: Santpedor, Spain.
Previous clubs managed: Barcelona 'B', Barcelona.
Major club honours won as a manager:
Barcelona 'B' - Segunda División B (1): 1990-91

Barcelona - La Liga (6): 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1997–98, 1998–99, Copa del Rey (2): 1996–97, 1997–98, European Cup (1): 1991–92, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1): 1996–97, UEFA Super Cup (2): 1992, 1997

2= Guus Hiddink (Anzhi Makhachkala, €7.5m per annum)

Born: 8th November 1946 (age 65).
Place of birth: Varsseveld, Netherlands.
Previous clubs managed: De Graafschap, PSV Eindhoven (twice), Fenerbahçe, Valencia, Netherlands, Real Madrid, Real Betis, South Korea, Australia, Russia, Chelsea (caretaker), Turkey.
Major club honours won as a manager:
PSV Eindhoven - Eredivisie (6): 1987, 1988, 1989, 2003, 2005, 2006, KNVB Cup (4): 1988, 1989, 1990, 2005, Dutch Supercup (1): 1993, UEFA European Cup (1): 1988

Real Madrid - Intercontinental Cup (1): 1998

Chelsea - FA Cup (1): 2009

International honours:
Netherlands - UEFA Euro 1996: Quarter Finals
South Korea - 2002 FIFA World Cup: Fourth Place
Russia - UEFA Euro 2008: Semi-final

4. Roberto Mancini (Manchester City, €6.0m per annum)

Born: 27th November 1964 (age 47).
Place of birth: Jesi, Ancona, Italy.
Previous clubs managed: Fiorentina, Lazio, Internazionale.
Major club honours won as a manager:
Fiorentina - Coppa Italia: 2000–01

Lazio - Coppa Italia: 2003–04

Internazionale - Serie A: (3) 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, Coppa Italia: (2) 2004–05, 2005–06

Manchester City - FA Cup (1) 2010–11

5. Carlo Ancelotti (Paris St-Germain, €5.9m per annum)

Born: 10th June 1959 (age 52).
Place of birth: Reggiolo, Italy).
Previous clubs managed: Reggiana, Parma, Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea.
AC Milan - Serie A (1): 2003-04, Coppa Italia (1): 2002-03, UEFA Champions League (2): 2002-03, 2006-07, UEFA Super Cup (2): 2003, 2007, FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2007

Chelsea - Premier League (1): 2009-10, FA Cup (1): 2009-10

6. Josef "Jupp" Heynckes (FC Bayern Munich, €5.0m per annum)

Born: 9th May 1945 (age 66).
Place of birth: Mönchengladbach, Germany.
Previous clubs managed: Borussia Mönchengladbach (twice), Bayern Munich (3 times), Athletic Bilbao (twice), Eintracht Frankfurt, Tenerife, Real Madrid, Benfica, Schalke 04, Bayer Leverkusen.
Major club honours won as a manager:
Bayern Munich - Fußball-Bundesliga: 1988–89, 1989–90, DFL-Supercup: 1987

Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League: 1997–98, Supercopa de España: 1997

Schalke 04 - UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2003, 2004

7= Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United, €4.8m per annum)

Born: 31st December 1941 (age 70).
Place of birth: Glasgow, Scotland).
Previous clubs managed: East Stirlingshire, St. Mirren, Aberdeen, Scotland.
Major club honours won as a manager:
St. Mirren - Scottish First Division (1): 1976–77

Aberdeen - Scottish Premier Division (3): 1979–80, 1983–84, 1984–85, Scottish Cup (4): 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1985–86, Scottish League Cup (1): 1985–86, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1): 1982–83, UEFA Super Cup (1): 1983

Manchester United - Premier League (12): 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, FA Cup (5): 1989–90, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04, League Cup (4): 1991–92, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, UEFA Champions League (2): 1998–99, 2007–08, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1): 1990–91, UEFA Super Cup (1): 1991, Intercontinental Cup (1): 1999, FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2008

7= Kenny Dalglish (Liverpool, €4.8m per annum)

Born: 4th March 1951 (age 61).
Place of birth: Glasgow, Scotland.
Previous clubs managed: Liverpool (twice), Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United, Celtic.
Major club honours won as a manager:
Liverpool - Football League First Division (3): 1985–86, 1987–88, 1989–90, FA Cup (2): 1985–86, 1988–89, Football League Cup (1): 2011–12

Blackburn Rovers - FA Premier League (1): 1994–95, Football League Second Division Play Off Winners (1): 1991–92

Celtic - Scottish League Cup (1): 1999–2000

9= Arsene Wenger (Arsenal, €4.7m per annum)

Born: 22nd October 1949 (age 62.)
Place of birth: Strasbourg, France.
Previous clubs managed: Nancy-Lorraine, Monaco, Nagoya Grampus Eight.
Major club honours won as a manager:
Monaco - French Ligue 1 (1): 1987–88, Coupe de France (1): 1990–91

Nagoya Grampus Eight - Emperor's Cup (1): 1995, J-League Super Cup (1): 1996

Arsenal - FA Premier League (3): 1997–98, 2001–02, 2003–04, FA Cup (4): 1997–98, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05

9= Harry Redknapp (Tottenham, €4.7m per annum)

Born: 2nd March 1947 (age 65).
Place of birth: Poplar, London, England.
Previous clubs managed: Bournemouth, West Ham United, Portsmouth (twice), Southampton.
Major club honours won as a manager:
Bournemouth - Football League Division Three: 1986–87, Football League Trophy: 1983–84

West Ham United - UEFA Intertoto Cup: 1999

Portsmouth - Football League Division One: 2002–03, FA Cup: 2007-08

The next 20 highest paid managers are as follows:

11= Luiz Felipe Scolari (Palmeiras, €3.6m p.a)
11= David Moyes (Everton, €3.6m p.a)
11= Mark Hughes (QPR, €3.6m p.a)
11= Martin O’Neill (Sunderland, €3.6m pa)
15= Diego Maradona (Al-Wasl, €3.5m p.a)
15= Manuel Pellegrini (Malaga, €3.5m p.a)
17. Luciano Spalletti (Zenit St Petersburg, €3.0m p.a)
18= Muricy Ramalho (Santos, €2.6m p.a)
18= Ottmar Hitzfeld (Switzerland, €2.6m p.a)
20= Alex McLeish (Aston Villa, €2.4m p.a)
20= Joachim Low (Germany, €2.4m p.a)
22= Vicente del Bosque (Spain, €2.1m p.a)
22= Abel Braga (Fluminese, €2.1m p.a)
22= Massimiliano Allegri (AC Milan, €2.1m p.a)
22= Jurgen Klopp (Borussia Dortmund, €2.1m p.a)
26= Dorival Junior (Internacional, €1.9m p.a)
26= Tite (Corinthians, €1.9m pa)
28. Claudio Ranieri (Inter, €1.8m p.a)
29. Mano Menezes (Brazil, €1.7m p.a)
30. Antonio Conte (Juventus, €1.6m p.a)

(Source: Futebol Finance - all salaries quoted are in Euros)